Shovel-handle.



N. G. ROBERTSON.

SHOVEL HANDLE APPLICATION FILED FEB.12.1914.

Lmmm, Patented Feb. 9, 1915 Imsewtor I V I MW THE NORRIS PETERS C0". PHOTG-LITHO.. WASHINGTON. D- C NATHANIEL G. ROBERTSGN, OF SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

SHOVEL-I-IANDLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 9, I915.

Application filed February 12, 1914. Serial No. 818,192.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NATHANIEL G. ROB- nu'rson, of Scranton, in the county of Lackawanna and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shovel-Handles, whereof the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

Figure I, is a plan view of a shovel handle embodying my invention. Fig. II, is a front view of the same. Figs. III, and IV, are respectively a plan and front view of a slightly variant construction.

My invention relates to a shovel handle in which a hollow metal grasp bar is provided in combination with a wooden handle of the split B type, and consists more particularly in the means whereby the two are securely united in a simple and economical manner.

A metal grasp bar for a shovel is desirable for a number of reasons dependent upon both economy of manufacture and utility of the shovel. Thus, for example, a shovel with a metal grasp bar may be used by the workman as a tamping bar. It is also desirable that such a metal grasp bar be formed as a hollow cylinder both on account of the economy of such construction, its lighter weight, and because it more quickly acquires the temperature of the hand.

In previous efforts which have been made to combine the wooden D handle with a hollow cylindrical metal grasp bar, it has been found necessary to fill this cylindrical grasp bar with wood or other suitable sub stances in order to properly center and firmly secure the grasp bar to the handle.

My invention is directed to means whereby I have successfully attached and secured a hollow cylindrical metal grasp bar to the wooden handle without the necessity of using any filling material within the hollow cylinder. This I accomplish by the following construction, reference being had to the drawings, in which- 1, is the wooden shank of the shovel, and 2, 2, the split ends of the shanks shaped to form side pieces for the handle.

The grasp bar of the handle consists of a hollow metal cylinder 3, of appropriate size. This cylinder has closed ends 4:, l, forming resistance pieces for the uniting rivet. The hollow cylinder with its ends may be formed as a single malleable casting. The hollow metal cylinder 3, is pierced as at 6, 6, with apertures of a shape appropriate to receive the split ends 2, of the wooden handle, which are inserted therein, so as to pass entirely across the interior of the grasp bar.

The parts thus described are firmly united and held securely in position against any possible usage by means of the rivet 10, which passes axially through the ends 4:, 4, and the metal cylinder 3, and also through the corresponding parts of the split ends 2, 2, of the wooden handle. When the ends of the rivet are headed over, every part is firmly and simply secured.

In Figs. III, and IV, a similar construction is shown, differing only in two particulars; the metal cylinder 13, is not a true cylinder, but is slightly bent to conform more accurately to the hand, and in addition to the apertures 63, 6, there are provided other apertures 16, 16, on the opposite side of the cylinder through which the split ends of the wooden handle project, being trimmed off even with the outer surface of the cylinder through which they pass.

In both forms any strain tending to thrust the sides of the handle farther apart, is opposed by the whole strength of the rivet, the ends 4, 4:, acting as washers to distribute the holding power of the riveted heads. The entire strength of the integral metal cylinder opposes any strain tending to force the sides of the handle together while the shearing strength of the rivet 10, opposes any force tending to pull the grasp bar out of the wooden parts of the handle.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

In a shovel handle the combination of a split wooden shank bent to form side pieces for the handle, a cylindrical hollow metal grasp-bar with closed metal ends, apertures in the grasp-bar into which the ends of the wooden-side pieces are inserted, said apertures being in alinement with the inner walls of the closed ends and shaped to conform to the side pieces whereby said side pieces are held spaced and against said inner walls of the ends of the grasp bar, and a bolt passing axially through the grasp-bar and its metal ends and also through the portions of the Wooden side pieces received Within it and holding all the parts together in proper relation.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Scranton, Pennsylvania, this sixth day of February 1914:.

NATHANIEL G. ROBERTSON.

Witnesses H. H. MGKEEHAN,

A. C. STEVENS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. c. 

